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Stowe Mountain Lodge brings pro tennis back to Vermont

Stowe Mountain Lodge brings pro tennis back to Vermont

Vermont Business Magazine Professional tennis returns to Vermont for its second year as the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic hosts some of the top men's tennis players coming to Stowe to prepare for the US Open, which takes place the following week in New York. The second-year event builds on the success of the 2017 tournament, won by world #22 Albert Ramos, and has continued its partnership with luxury mountainside community, Spruce Peak and Stowe Mountain Lodge, to host the eight-player exhibition event this August 18–22.

The event already has commitments from world #62 and ATP NextGen star Frances Tiafoe, who won his first ATP Tour title at Delray Beach event earlier this year, and Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka, who has represented Japan in Davis Cup and re-established himself as a young contender on the ATP Tour. Last year, Nishioka upset #13 seed Tomas Berdych and reached a ranking of world #58 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells before an ACL injury took him out of the action.

This year, the competition will intensify with $35,000 in prize money, and will also expand its draw from six to eight players, bringing fans more talent and more matches to enjoy.

“We were overwhelmed by the support for the tournament last year, both from the sponsors and the fans,” explains Tournament Director Kyle Ross. “We've got an incredible venue here at Spruce Peak, a community that loves tennis and turns out for local events, and a team that is dedicated to putting on a world-class tennis event. Our goal last year was to lift this event off the ground; this year we're looking to grow it into a sustainable part of summer here in Vermont and New England.”

The remainder of the eight-man player field will be filled with ATP pros ranked in the Top 100, and showcase them in matches from Sunday, August 19 through Wednesday, August 22. Spruce Peak Stadium holds a capacity of nearly 2,000 and has three seating categories: VIP North Seating, Courtside and Grandstand. The event will kick off with the Player Party, held Saturday night at the Alpine Clubhouse at Spruce Peak, where guests have the chance to chat and mingle with the pros themselves.

Also new for 2018, the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic will benefit Burlington-based nonprofit the Chill Foundation, which inspires youth to overcome challenges through boardsports, and every donation helps connect participants with the outdoors.

For Title Sponsor and host Stowe Mountain Lodge, the tournament creates an opportunity to engage with the biggest summer pro sporting event in Vermont and provides a platform to showcase the beautiful facilities of Spruce Peak at Stowe. The ATP players will stay in rooms at the Stowe Mountain Lodge, use the facilities of the Stowe Mountain Club at Spruce Peak, and battle for the championship at Spruce Peak Stadium.

“We are thrilled to host the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic here at Spruce Peak,” states Sam Gaines, President of Spruce Peak at Stowe. “We can’t wait to introduce tennis fans around the world to our community, including the luxurious Stowe Mountain Lodge and Spa, the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, and all of the retail and dining throughout our village center.”

Single-session tickets, stay-and-watch travel packages, access to the VIP Player Party and other ticket options are on sale now at www.stowetennis.com, and by phone at (802) 549–4658. Each ticket is valid for a full day’s worth of tennis, and the venue allows re-entry, so attendees will be free to explore the Adventure Center at Stowe, head into town for some food or shopping, or relax in the Spruce Peak Fan Zone between matches.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic is hosted at Spruce Peak and is managed by Grand Slam Tennis Tours.